An inquest has heard that a worker who was killed in an explosion at a cement factory in Rugby fell more than 10 metres before hitting the ground after being blasted out of the building.

Local newspaper the Rugby Observer reports that Peter Reynolds was working at Cemex in Rugby in January 2008, when machinery he was operating became blocked.

Mr Reynolds suffered serious head injuries in the blast and was found lying in the road by a colleague, having been blown out of the building into the road. He died ‘almost instantly’.

The inquest heard that, the day before the accident, the machinery had become blocked but staff at the Cemex plant had managed to clear it. When this happened again the following day, the blockage caused a rise in temperature.

Mr Reynolds had followed the correct procedure for restarting the machine – but when it still would not work, he attempted to clean it again. However, on this occasion, the rise in temperature meant the equipment had become heavily pressurised and an explosion occurred.

The inquest at Leamington Town Hall on Wednesday (24/03/10) heard that another worker had been injured in 2006, while using the same machine.

A specialist inspector for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Andrew Cox, told the inquest that there were gaps in the company’s risk assessment for unblocking machinery. The HSE investigation into Mr Reynolds’ death is still in process.

The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mr Reynolds left a wife and daughter. After the inquest, the family’s solicitor read a statement on behalf of the family:

‘Peter Reynolds died in tragic circumstances while at work at Cemex. This inquest has raised more questions than it answered. Pete was a kind and loving father, son and brother. He always had time for everyone.’

Cemex also issued a statement:

‘The tragic death of Peter Reynolds had a huge and devastating effect on his friends and colleagues at the Rugby cement plant and throughout Cemex as a whole.

’Peter's death was an extraordinary and unforeseen occurrence. At Cemex, the health and safety of all our employees is the highest priority and we continue to strive for the highest standards in health and safety at all our operations.’

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